American Bison

 

Although most of my American Bison images are on negatives todays images are from a recent trip to Yellowstone National Park.

Like Walmart, the Yellowstone door greeter.

The American Bison, also commonly known as the American Buffalo, once roamed North America in vast herds.

Historically their range was described as a tract of grassland stretching from Alaska to Mexico.

They nearly became extinct in the 19th century due to overhunting. Population went from in excess of 60 million in the 18th century down to just 541 animals by 1889. Recovery efforts have led to a current population of roughly 31,000 wild bison today.

We have observed Bison many times through the years in both Canadian and U.S. National Parks however the most memorable was in Custer State Park South Dakota. We took the kids on a trail to an outlook overlooking a massive herd of wild Bison grazing. Just to listen to the herd grunting and groaning in the valley below was incredible.

Another memorable experience was on our first visit to Yellowstone where upon after making camp we were all sitting at a picnic table when a huge Bison walked over and settled into a mud puddle twenty feet from our table. Flies and all unfortunately.